Need your expert advice on a C4S

Hi Im looking for a C4S and have found one that is very cheap. Cheap enough to make me very sceptical about it. Here's the advert... THIS SUPERB LOW MILEAGE(49800) EXAMPLE COMES WITH UNMARKED METALIC PAINTWORK BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR ELECTRIC SEATS ELECTRIC SUNROOF PCM SYSTEM WITH DVD SAT NAV TELEPHONE MODULE CRUISE CONTROL CLIMATE CONTROL CD COMPUTER THE CAR HAS HAD 2 PRIVATE OWNERS FROM NEW PLUS SUPPLYING DEALERS NEW SERVICE FULL COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE HISTORY WITH 7 STAMPS IN BOOK RECENT NEW DISCS AND PADS ALL ROUND THIS CAR IS TRULY IN FANTASTIC CONDITION Now, contact is by email only so far. I've been emailed pictures of a stunning Silver C4S, and the reg plate checks out as the right make model and gearbox. Haven't done a full check yet tho. I've replied with questions about RMS, MOT & Tax and service history and whether the log book is in order. Anything else I should be on the look out for here? It's a private sale and like I said it's cheap. :?: Thanks in advance for your advice Mike

Is the seller in Nigeria? Without any other infomation, other than your scepticism, all I can pass on are details of a scam I have heard about. Details of genuine cars are "cloned" and then simply amended with unfeasibly (and attractive) prices. The problem only comes when they ask for deposits etc prior to seeing vehicle etc. If you see the physical vehicle and a V5 supporting the address you are at and clear title (no finance etc), it is probably OK. Like most things, if a good scammer wishes get money they will. Including fake addresses, phone numbers, passports etc etc. Usually that is pretty high level and rare. See here: http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=50014

Thanks GT4. The car is in Bristol. The stupid thing is when people advertise cars far too cheaply you instantly think scam. It's up fpr sale for £14k which is at very least 6-7k cheaper than it chould be, maybe even 10k. Something doesn't quite add up. Before i go anywhere near it I'd get a full HPI done as I'm half expecting it to be either nicked or have outstanding finance, or be a CAT D repair jobby. But TBH even if the HPI comes back clear I'm still gonna be very wary!

That is far too cheap! That is the sort of ball park you would expect to pay for an early 3.4 C4. I read the Metro free paper on the way to work most mornings and have noticed this sort of thing. On one particular day there were four adverts that stood out. All were nice high end German cars, good spec, low-ish miles and they were all 'featured' adverts in little boxes with photos. They all had the same mobile phone number and contact name.

Ask for his landline number for a chat, print out all the previous MOT's from the DVLA website all you need is one of his MOT test numbers + car registration number it's very quick and free, hopefully the car has FPSH give them all a ring to see what they did to the car, it can very reassuring when I did this I actually spoke to people at Porsche that knew the previous owners!

SCAM SCAM Worth more than that to the trade all contact via email, next thing he's in italy and going to transport it to you, you pay the money to ebay / western union. you'll have 14 days to approve it and then Ebay will release the money to him One of the littllescamers even used one of my photos , said the car he was in my town, amazingly he wouldnt meet me to do the deal but was going to ship it to me

+1 I'd go off and do all the homework anyway though - just so you can catch him out and he know's you're wise to it. The more people that demonstrate they are wise to this scamming, the better me thinks....

I would higghly recommend an HPI check (they are cheap), followed up by his telephone number so you can have a chat. If all else is well so far, arrange to see the car (and the V5) and then have it inspected. I suspect that if you get as far as seeing the car (and meeting the seller) it may be OK from there.

That would be very cheap even if it was a cat d repair so something sounds a bit odd here. . Look at the car at the registered address, not some motorway service station. see the V5, get a full HPI check and a PPI. Could be that it has first symptoms of engine failure (liner/IMS) If all is well buy it!!

You can't buy ANY carrra 4 S for that money, it's a scam simple. It's easy to spot any scam just by the add, it's even easy to spot e bayers bidding on their own cars, " normo" 911's don't get bid on unless there special or low priced. The cheapest 4 S that's worth having is 21k and there's some nice ones for that!

Pretty sure its a scam. Check out this e-mail I've had back from the guy. Hi again, As you can see, I am selling it at a low price but it has nothing to do with the it's condition, I am having some financial problems right now and I am looking for a fast sale. Everything is in perfect working condition, all documents are in order, service history available, 9 months of mot and tax. I have to tell you that I'm currently out of town so viewing isn't an option. I will get somebody to bring it to you if you decide to buy it but we have to close the deal through eBay, inspection period prior buying it along with a refund policy will be included in the sale terms. The money will be sent to eBay and not to me. Everything is covered by ebay buyer protection program. I repeat they will keep your money until you receive it along with the documents of it. You will have an inspection period of 5 days. In this time you can check, test and even run an AA inspection. I will receive the payment from eBay only if you are satisfied with the vehicle. If by any reason (it has any hidden damage or it isn't as i describe it) you can reject the deal. In this case eBay will fully refund you and I will come and collect it on MY cost. If you want it, let me know your ebay user id along with your name and address where it must be delivered so i can register the sale with ebay to proceed. If you will decide to not go through is not a problem I still quite have a few more offers from potential buyer. Regards, Kurt I'm staying well clear! :bye:

Didn't know eBay ran an escrow service now. :?:

Looks like you had a lucky escape. Often, when things look too good to be true - they usually are. Even if you had gone through with the sale you would still have had that niggling feeling that something was not right. My advice would be to sit tight and eventually the right car will come along, even if you have to wait a bit longer or save a bit more money. In hindsight I am glad I waited. I nearly bought a Seal Grey C4S from a Stratstone Mercedes dealer, but it failed a 111pt check at an OPC on a number of expensive things. At the time I was gutted because I had paid a deposit and it looked like a nice car. However, the C4S cab I have now is much nicer. Fortunately, the car you have chosen to buy isn't that rare when you compare it to most 911 models, so something will come along soon. Good luck with the search.

Regards, Kurt oops he spelt his name wrong g should be C**t

And is the poorest example of English grammar you've ever seen.. If you will decide to not go through is not a problem I still quite have a few more offers from potential buyer. :?: Just hope someone doesn't fall for this ad. £14k is a lot of money to lose.